Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended a special celebration organised at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow on the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami and highlighted the timeless relevance of Lord Krishna’s teachings on duty, righteousness, justice, nature and social responsibility.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the life and message of Lord Krishna had guided society through difficult and favourable circumstances for more than 5,000 years. He said Krishna’s life inspires people to stand against injustice and work for the establishment of truth, righteousness and justice while remaining committed to their duties.
Recalling the circumstances surrounding Lord Krishna’s birth, Yogi Adityanath said that Krishna was born in the darkness of a prison cell but went on to illuminate society through his life and actions. His journey, he said, demonstrates that people should not abandon their responsibilities even when confronted with uncertainty, adversity or difficult circumstances.
The Chief Minister referred to the Bhagavad Gita and said Lord Krishna’s teachings continue to inspire people to follow the path of karma, duty and dharma. Quoting the famous message, “Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,” he said the teachings of the Gita encourage individuals to recognise their capabilities and perform their responsibilities to the best of their ability without being driven solely by the results.
Yogi Adityanath said Janmashtami provides an opportunity for people to renew their commitment towards their duties and responsibilities. He also recalled the deep cultural and spiritual connection associated with Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Gokul, Govardhan, Baldev and Nandgaon, where traditions associated with Lord Krishna continue to remain deeply rooted.
According to the Chief Minister, these places also reflect an Indian cultural outlook in which nature and the environment are treated with reverence. He said devotees visiting Krishna’s sacred land remain conscious of preserving the sanctity, natural character and ecological significance of these locations.
Krishna’s Message on Nature, Farmers and Cattle Rearers
The Chief Minister particularly referred to the tradition of Govardhan Puja, saying that Lord Krishna conveyed an important message about the significance of nature, farmers and cattle rearers in society.
He said the tradition of Govardhan Puja had continued for thousands of years, with millions of devotees still undertaking the Govardhan Parikrama with faith and devotion. The tradition, he said, reflects both the vitality of India’s Sanatan cultural heritage and the country’s traditional respect for nature.
Yogi Adityanath emphasised that Krishna’s teachings were not limited to spiritual philosophy but also contained important lessons about social and environmental responsibility. The reverence for Govardhan, he said, represents a broader understanding of the interdependence between society, agriculture, livestock and the natural environment.
India’s Cultural Heritage Remains Resilient
The Chief Minister also spoke about the resilience of India’s cultural and spiritual traditions. He said several attempts had been made over history to destroy temples and weaken the faith of the people, but such efforts could not erase India’s civilisational values.
He cited the history of the Somnath temple, which was destroyed several times but rebuilt repeatedly, as an example of the resilience of Indian faith and cultural consciousness. He also referred to the Ram temple at Ayodhya and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi as important symbols of India’s enduring spiritual heritage.
Yogi Adityanath recalled the contribution of Ahilyabai Holkar to the restoration of the Kashi Vishwanath temple and said the Kashi Vishwanath Dham had subsequently been given a grand and modern form under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said historical forces that attempted to erase India’s cultural identity eventually disappeared, while the country continued its journey with its ancient traditions, values and cultural consciousness intact.
Call for Positive Competition and Collective Responsibility
The Chief Minister urged citizens to embrace positive competition and constructive thinking in an increasingly competitive world. He said competition should motivate individuals and institutions to improve rather than create negativity or conflict.
He stressed that every citizen should make selfless action and a sense of duty an integral part of life. The development of the country, he said, could not be achieved through government efforts alone.
Yogi Adityanath said the collective participation of India’s citizens would be essential to taking the country’s development journey to new heights. He expressed confidence that the vision of a developed India could become a reality when citizens performed their respective responsibilities honestly and worked towards excellence.
He also said Uttar Pradesh would have an important role in this national journey and expressed confidence that collective commitment, positive thinking and dedicated efforts would help transform the state into a developed Uttar Pradesh.
The Janmashtami celebration was attended by Water Resources Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Basic Education Sandeep Singh, Minister of State for Energy Kailash Singh Rajput, Rajya Sabha member Dr Dinesh Sharma, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council member Dr Mahendra Singh, Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharwal, legislators Neeraj Bora, Jai Devi, Amaresh Kumar and O.P. Srivastava.
Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal, Director General of Police Rajeev Krishna, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Home and Information Sanjay Prasad, senior government and police officials, retired police officers and members of police families were also present at the programme.
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